Multicoin selector



Aug. 2l, 1951 o. A. HoKANsoN MULTICOIN SELECTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledAug. 24, 1946 fwefzv/'f ZO @Mm/w07@ jy Wma, MM5/@gj llg 21, 1951 o. A.HoKANsoN v 2,565,177

MULTICOIN SELECTOR Filed Aug. 24, 194e 4 sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 2l, 1951 o.A. HOKANSON MULTICOIN SELECTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 24, 1946 f NmAug. 21,v 1551 o. A. HOKANSON 2,555,111

MULTICOIN SELECTOR Filed Aug. 24, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 walls of .a coinselector.

Patented Aug. 21, 1951 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Rudolph WurlitzerCompany,

North Tona- Wanda, N. Y., a corporation of Ohio Application August 24,1346, Serial N o. 692,857

12 Claims. l

The present invention relates to coin selectors, and more particularlyto an improved coin selectol which is so constructed as to facilitatecleaning and repairing.

Coin selectors or slug rejectors are quite commonly located in placeswhere they accumulate dust and dirt, and not infrequently they aresubject to the abuse of certain individuals who stllf Paper andextraneous matter into the coin selectors. Where the coin selector hasaccumulated dirt, grime and foreign matter, it is necessary to eitherremove the selector or to take .the selector apart so that the interiormay be @cleaned r washed and al1 foreign matter re.-

moved. In certain locations, coin selectors readily accumulate grime.,grease and dust which must be cleaned off all of the moving parts of theselector and the runways for the coins in lorder to place the selectorin proper operating far extremely difficult to properly clean the infterior of coin selectors or slug rejectors.

To facilitate such cleaning, preferably by means. of a brush and adetergent, it would be desirable to provide a structure whereby con-Yenient access may be had to all of the interior This may be accompushedin accordance with the present invention by providing for the selectivemanual movement of the outer walls away from a stationary o r supportingwall. By so moving the walls v `through an angle of at least 90 orsubstantially y nearlirig, the interior.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multicoinselector having a fixed wall which cooperates with a plurality ofmovable 2; walls and movable gates which may be moved away from thefixed wall for cleaning purposes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide in amulticoin selector an improved scavenger mechanism for dislodgingnonaccessible coins or slugs. n

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmulticoin selector having a scavenger mechanism so arranged that theinoperativeness of the scavenger in one coin passage does not prohibitproper operation of the scavenger in the remaining coin passages.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved multicoin selector having an .adjustable partition betweendifferent coin passages which operates as a coin testing device for onedenomination of the coins of said passages.

Other and further objects of the present invention subsequently willbecome apparent by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings where- 1n:

Figure l, is a front view of a selector constructed in accordance withthe present invention;

Figure 2 is a top View of the selector shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a rear View of the selector shown in ,Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an end view as seen in the direction of the arrows along aplane passing through the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is another end view as seen in the opposite direction asindicated by the arrows along a plane passing through the line 5-5 ofFigure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the movable gates and'one5cooperating side wall vmoved outwardly for purposes of cleaning theinterior; Figure '7 is another perspective View showing the oppositeside of the coin selector as compared'to Figure 6 with the gate andmovable wall moved outwardly for purposes of cleaning the interior ofthe remaining coin passage; and

Figure 8 is a detail view illustrating the scavenger mechanism and theoperating movements thereof.

,Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that in accordance with thepresent invention there has been provided a multi-coin selector or slugrejector which will accommodate a plurality of different coins. The coinselector has a stationary central wall 2l)l which has opposite endportions 22 and 24 bent forwardly at right angles .stationary wall 26.

gate 56.

to the main portion of the wall 26. The end wall 24 of the central wall26 is secured to an end plate 26. The end wall 24 has inwardly struckperforated ears or lugs 28 and 35 which are arranged to receive a pivotpin 32. The pin 32 also passes through apertured ears or lugs 34 and 36formed at one side of a wall 38 which is arranged parallel to the wall26 so that coin passageways may be formed between the two walls.

The wall 38 therefore is hingedly mounted by means of the pin 32, seeFig. 6, and is retained in normally closed position by a latch having apivoted lever 46 provided with a latch portion 42 which engages a strikeportion 44 formed in the end wall 22. The pivoted lever 46 at one endhas an outwardly projecting nger portion 46 so that it may be engagedand moved from the position shown in Figure 1 so that the wall 38 may bemoved outwardly away from the central toward latching position by aspring 48 which has its one end in engagement with the lever and theother end in engagement with a stationary stud 56 mounted on the surfaceof the wall 38.

The wall 26 adjacent its upper edge has a pair of perforated ears 52 and54 which are struck out at right angles to the plane of the wall 20. Theapertured ears 52 and 54 carry a hinged gate 56 having adjacent one enda short projecting portion 58 or trunnion which is mounted in theaperture in the ear 52. The gate 56 at its opposite side has a longerprojection 66 which serves as a pivot support member mounted in theaperture of the ear 54. Surrounding the trunnion or projection 66 is acoiled spring 62 which has one end in engagement with the ear 54 and theother end in engagement with the front surface of the The spring 62serves a dual purpose since it exerts an expansive force which biasesthe gate 56 to the left, as viewed in Figures 1 and 6, thereby to retainthe gate in hinged relation with respect to the ears 52 and 54. The

'spring 62 by having its ends in engagement with the ear 54 and thesurface of the gate 56 also biases the gate 56 toward the stationarywall 20.

The gate 56 has an upper portion 6.4 which is spaced some distance awayfrom the wall 20 so as to form an entrance chute for coins of a certaindenomination, such as 10-cent coins. The gate 56 has a lower portion 66which is spaced a short distance away from and parallel to the wall 26.The distance between the inner surface of the gate portion 66 and thewall 20 is slightly greater than the thickness of a coin which is tomove down the passageway formed by the gate. The gate 56 has adjacentits lower end an inward projection or ledge 68 which serves to form aportion of a runway for a coin. The gate portion 66 carries an inwardlyprojecting lug 'lll which has a curved surface so as to be engaged by ascavenger mechanism, subsequently to be described, which pivotally movesthe gate outwardly to clear the gate of coins lodged therein. The gate56 also carries a coin cradle 12 which is pivotally mounted by means ofa stud or screw 14. The stud 'I4 determines the position of the gateportion 66 with respect to the inner wall 2D, leaving a narrow openingbetween the edge of runway 68 and wall 26 for dust and very thin discsto fall through. The cradle 12 is counterbalanced by a weight 16, andthe movement of the cradle in one direction is limited by a stop stud'I8 so that the cradle may discharge a coin onto the runway 68.

The latch lever 46 is biased i gate 92.

The cradle 'l2 has an upper arcuate surface generally conforming to theperiphery of an acceptable coin of proper diameter. The cradle 12 is soarranged that an underdiameter coin or an underweight coin will not tiltthe cradle 12 and hence the unacceptable coin will be retained by thecradle. If a coin of proper diameter and of a weight at least equal tothat of an acceptable or genuine coin is engaged by the cradle, thecradle will tilt and discharge the coin onto the runway 68. If the coinis overdiameter, the coin will not leave the cradle entirely since it isstopped by an overdiameter stop 86 mounted on the wall 26.

Immediately above the runway 68 the hinged wall 38 has a plurality ofopenings 62 so that the pole pieces 84 of a permanent magnet may bepositioned substantially ush with the inner surface of the wall 38. Thepermanent magnet which has the pole pieces 84 is housed in a case S6which is secured to the outer side of the wall 38 by suitable fasteningmeans such as screws 88.

The stationary wall 2u has another outwardly struck perforated ear 96which serves to support another hinged gate S2. The end wall 22 isprovided with a perforation for receiving a trunnion or pivot member 54formed at the outer edge of the gate 82. The gate 62 at its oppositeside is provided with an extended projection or pivotal support member9S which engages the perforation in the ear 96. Surrounding theprojection or trunnion 96 is a coiled spring 98 which has one end inengagement with the ear 90 and the other end in engagement with theouter surface of the The spring 58 in a manner similar to the spring 62of the other gate exerts both expansive and torsional forces so as tobias the gate 92 toward the left, as seen in Figure l, and also towardthe wall 26. The upper portion |60 of the gate 92 serves as an entrancechute for coins and is spaced some distance away from the wall 26. Thelower portion |62 of the gate is spaced closer to the wall 2S by adistance determined by a ledge |64 which projects inwardly and serves asa portion of a runway for a coin. The gate portion |62 carries acounterbalanced pivoted cradle |66 retained in position by a stud |08.The cradle is provided with a counterbalance H6 and the movement of thecradle in one direction is limited by a stop stud ||2 mounted on theinner surface of the gate portion |82. The cradle |66, in a mannersimilar to the previously described cradle, serves to retain underweightand underdiaineter coins. The cradle |66 has an upper arcuate surfacegenerally conforming to the periphery of an acceptable coin of properdiameter which may be a 25 cent coin. If the coin is of proper diameterand of a weight at least equal to that of an acceptable or genuine coin,the cradle will tilt and discharge the coin onto the runway |64. If thecoin is overdiameter, the coin will not leave the cradle entirely sinceit is stopped by an overdiaineter stop |69 mounted on wall 26immediately above the runway |64.

Wall 56 has a pair of openings I6 for receiving the pole pieces ||3 of apermanent magnet housed in a casing ||4 which is held in position by asupport strap ||6 having apertures at the ends for fastening screws |l8.The pole pieces ||3 of the permanent magnet are located so as to bepositioned immediately above the inclined runway formed by the ledge |64of the gate 92. The wall 20 opposite pole pieces I3 has an aperture |26,Fig. 6, into which is fitted a plate |22 acceptable coins.

vsecured to a support strap |24, Fig. '7, which is retained in positionby a plural-ity of screws |26. The plate |22 which has its surface flushwith the surface of the wall is of a paramagnetic material which servesto concentrate and increase the effect of the magnetic ux passingbetween the pole pieces I |3l of the permanent magnet. Tlirs for thelarger coin passageway an increased magnetic iiux is provided.

Mounted on the wall 20 is a coin passage partition |28, Fig. 6, whichhas a slot |38 through which is passed a screw |32 which threadedlyengages a suitable aperture in the wall 20. The partition |28 isadjustably positioned so as to separate two coin passages, one for thecoins which enter the chute 64 of the gate 56 and the other for thecoins which enter the chute |00 of the gate 82. The partition |28 alsoserves asa bumper for the coins which pass down the runway |04 and whichare not acceptable because they are of an alloy not sufficientlyretarded by the magnetic neld produced by the pole pieces ||3immediately above the runway. The wall 26 at its lower edge carries atriangular separation member or block |34 which divides the spacebetween the walls 38 and 20 so as to form an accep-tance chute for 'centcoins and a reject chute for non-acceptable coins. The acceptance chuteis to the right of the block |34, Fig. 6, and the reject chute is to theleft of the block. The wall 20 toward its left end carries anothertriangular block |36 which denes the other side of the reject chute oropening.

Immediately above block |34 and somewhat to the left, as seen in Figures1 and 6, the wall 20 is provided with a rectangular opening |38 throughwhich a diverter |40 projects into the space between the walls 28 and38. The diverter |40, as may be seen from Figures l and 7, lis aninwardly projecting member carried by a lever arm |42 pivotally mountedon a stud |44 and which is counterbalanced by a weight |46. The stud |44is mounted on an adjustable plate |48 having an opening or slot throughwhich is passed a fastening screw |52 which engages a suitable threadedopening in the wall 20. As maybe seen from Figures l and 6, the otherextremity of the plate |48 has its edge bent inwardly at right angles toform a guide |54 which iits within the opening |38 so as to maintain theplate |48 in substantially horizontal position irrespective of theadjusted position to which this plate has been moved. Thus the positionof the diverter |46 is adjustable so that it may be located so as toproperly segregate acceptable coins from non-acceptable coins inaccordance with their trajectories .as they roll oi the end of therunway |04.

For the other coin passageway for such as 10 cent coins which -enter thechute 64 of the gate 56, a rebound block |56 is adjustably mounted bymeans of a fastening screw |58 in the proximity of the right end wall24. Certain coins leaving the runway 68 of the gate 56 will strike therebound block |56 so that the resultant trajectory segregates acceptablecoins lfrom non- The coin passageway for l0 cent coins is also providedwith a diverter |60 having a slot |62 through which is passed afastening screw |64 which engages a suitable threaded opening in thewall 38. The diverter |68 Vat lits outer extremity has a projection |68-which extends inwardly into the coin passageway. The diverter |60 withVits projection '|66 is positioned above and tothe left of the accepttance chute for 10 cent coins. l

The wall 38 carries `a plate or auxiliary wall member |68 which at. thelower left hand corner' has an inwardly turned por-tion |10 providedwithan apertured` lug |12 for receiving a fas1 tening screw |14 whichengages. a threaded opening in the wall 38'. The auxiliary wall |68. atthe right, as seen in Figurev 1, isv bent inwardly at a right angle toform ay wall |76. Wall |68 is further bent at a right angle toformanother wall |18 parallel to the wall 38 which is formed at itsupper extremity with an outwardly curved portion |88. The wall portion|18, together with the upwardly and -outwardly curved portion |80, formsone wall of a l0 cent coin acceptance chute. Thel inwardly bent Wallportion |16, as may be seen from Figure 6, has formed thereon aplurality of tabs .|82 and |84 which serve to form a partition'betweenthe 10 cent. acceptance chute and a slug rejector chute formed by thewall |68 with the wall 38. The wall |68 in the proximity of the lowerportion of the partition |16 is spaced from the wall 38 by a triangularblock |86 which is retained in position byv a fas.- tening screw |88which passes through an aperture in the wall |68 and engages a threadedarranged aperture 200 in the wall 26 below the gate S2. The wall 38 hastwo other inwardly turned portions 202 and 204 which t into another dogleg aperture 206 in the wall 20 below the end of the runway 68. Thecurved portion 204, together with that portion of the wall 38immediately below, forms the other wall of a l0 ycent coin acceptancechute.

On the opposite side of the wall 20 thus 4far described, there islocated a gate 208, Figs. 3 and 7, which at one side has a short pivotor trunnion 2|0 which engages a suitable opening in the wall 26. Thegate 208 has an elongated `trun nion `or pivotal mounting 2|2 whichengages an apertured ear 214 struck out at right angles from the wall20. The elongated trunnion 2|2 is surrounded by a spring 2|6 which hasone end in engagement with the gate 208 and the other end in engagementwith the ear 2|4. The spring 2|6 exerts a torsional force to bias thegate 208 toward the wall 20 and also exerts an expansive force to biasthe gate 208 to the left, as seen in Figure 3.

The gate 208 at, its upper extremity has a coin entrance chute portion 2I8 for receiving coins of a certain denomination such as 5 cent pieces.The gate 208 has a downwardly extending wall portion 220 which at itslower extremity has an inwardly'bent ledge 222 which forms a portion ofa coin runway. The lower portion 220 of the gate 208 pivotally supportsa cradle 224 pivotally supported by a screw 226 which engages a threadedaperture in the gate wall 220. The cradle 224 is counterbalanced by aweight 228 and the cradle is limited in movement by a stud 230 mountedon the lower portion 220 of the gate, The cradle 224 has an upper curvedsurface substantially corresponding to the peripheral edge of anacceptable cent piece. The cradle is so designed that an underweight o'runderdiameter coin will not tilt the cradle so as to discharge the coinonto the runway 222; A coin of proper weight and proper diameter willtilt the cradle 224 so as to discharge the coin onto the runway 222. Ifthe coin thus discharged is overdiameter, the coin will not entirelyleave the cradle 224 since overdiameter coins are stopped by a stop stud23| mounted on the wall 20.

The wall 20 has outwardly struck apertured ears 232 and 234 forreceiving a pivot pin 236. The pin 236 passes through apertured ears 238and 240 struck out from a movable wall 242 which is arranged in spacedparallel relation to the wall 20. The wall 242 is normally retained inclosed position by a latch mechanism which engages a strike 244 formedin the end wall 26. The latch mechanism includes a pivoted lever 246mounted on a stud 248. The pivoted lever 246 has a finger grip portion250 and a latch portion 252. The latch portion 252 engages the strike244. The latch lever 246 is biased in one direction by a spring 254which engages the lever, surrounds the stud 248 and engages a stud orpost 256 which is mounted on the wall 242. By withdrawing the latchportion 252 by engagement with the finger portion 250, the wall 242 maybe moved outwardly to a position such as that shown in Figure '7 topermit access to the wall surfaces between the walls 20 and 242. Thewall 242 at a point above the runway 222 of the gate 208 is providedwith a pair of apertures 258 for receiving pole pieces 260 of apermanent magnet housed in a case 262. The case 262 is provided withsuitable lugs for receiving fastening screws 264 which engage threadedapertures in the wall 242. Immediately below the gate 208, the wall 242has an inwardly curved portion 266 which is adapted to t into arectangular opening 268 in the wall 20.

Mounted on the wall 242 is a plate 210 having at its right side aninwardly bent wall portion 212 provided with an apertured lug 218 forreceiving a fastening screw 280 which engages a i threaded aperture inthe wall 242. The plate 210 at its opposite side is provided with anangularly arranged inwardly bent wall portion 282 which has an aperturedlug 284 for receiving a fastening screw 286 which engages a threadedaperture in the wall 242. The plate 210 therefore is spaced somedistance away from the wall 242 to provide a passageway for slugs.

Mounted on the wall 20 is a rebound anvil 288 having a plurality ofslots 290 for receiving fastening screws 292 which engage threadedapertures in the wall 20. The anvil 288 is adapted to be engaged bycoins leaving the runway 222. The rebound trajectories of the coinsengaging the anvil 288 will differ in accordance with the material ofthe coins and the trajectories of the coins leaving the runway 222 sothat the resultant rebound trajectories may be used to separateacceptable coins from non-acceptable coins. In order to separateacceptable coins from non-acceptable coins the wall 20 carries anadjustable partition or hurdle 294 provided with a plurality of slots296 for receiving fastening screws 298 which engage threaded aperturesin the wall 20.

The gate 208 has an outwardly projecting projection 3 d which is adaptedto be engaged by a scavenger mechanism subsequently to be described. Thescavenger mechanism moves the gate 208 outwardly away from the wall 20so that 8 any underdiameter, overdiameter, or underweight coins aredischarged from the gate, whereupon they drop down to engage the curvedportion 266 of the wall '242 and enter the slug chute formed by thespaced wall 210.

By referring to Figures 3, '7 and 8, it will be seen that on one side ofthe wall 20 which is opposite the cooperating wall 242 there is mounteda scavenger actuating lever 302 pivotally supported at one end by a stud304 which threadedly engages an aperture in the wall 20. The lever 302has a downward projection which terminates in an apertured lug or ear306 that is engaged by one end of a spring 308. The spring 308 passesaround the stud 304 and is anchored to a post 3 l0 mounted in a wall 26.A spring 309, which serves as a return spring for another portion of themechanism, is anchored to the post 3I0 and extends past a stud or screw312 and onto the lower end of a link 314.

The upper end of the link 3 I4 is provided with a stud or screw 316which is in engagement with a slot SIS formed at an intermediate pointin the lever 302. Near its outer extremity the lever 302 is providedwith a horizontally arranged portion 320 which is adapted to be actuatedmanually either directly by the fingers or by a mechanism engaging theportion 320. Pressure applied to the portion 320 will move the lever 302in an arcuate manner in a downward direction in opposition to the actionof the spring 368. The lever 302 is limited in its upward movement by astop stud .3!3 mounted on the stationary Wall 20.

Just beneath the actuating portion 320 the lever 362 is provided with anopening or aperture 322 for actuating a sweep arm 324. The sweep arm 324is pivotally mounted on the surface of the wall 26 by a pivot stud orscrew 326. At an intermediate point on the sweep arm 324 there ismounted a stud 328 which projects into the opening or aperture 322 oithe arm 302. The sweep arm 324 is biased upwardly by a spring 330 whichpasses about a stud 332 mounted on the face of the wall 20, and thespring is anchored in an aperture or hole 334 in the face of the wall20. The opening 322 in the arm 302 is so arranged that a downwardmovement of the lever 302 positively actuates the sweep arm 324 againstthe action of the spring 330 to sweep oi or clear the face of themagnetic pole pieces 260 which are mounted on the wall 242.

If for some reason the sweep arm 324 should become lodged or stuck so asnot to return to its original position when the lever arm 302 ispermitted to raise or release, the opening 322 is of such congurationthat the sweep arm 324 may remain in downward position but the arm 302will return to its original position.

The outer extremity of the arm 302 carries a pin or stud 336, Fig. 8,which projects through an aperture 338 in the wall 20. This stud 336 maybe seen in Figures 1 and 6 as being in engagement with an opening oraperture 340 in a sweep arm 342. The sweep arm 342 is pivotally mountedby a stud or screw 344 which engages the other side of the wall 26. Thesweep arm 342 is biased toward its upper position by a spring 346 whichpasses around a stud 348 and then engages the stop stud which alsoserves as the overdiameter stop for coins passing down the chute 56.

As seen in Figures 1 and 6, the wall 20 is also provided with anothersweep arm 350 pivotally mounted at one end by a stud or screw 352. At

an intermediate point the sweep arm 350 is provided with a stud or screw354 which passes through an arcuate opening or aperture 356 in the wall20. The stud or screw 354, as may be seen from Figures 3, 7 and 8,pivotally connects with the lower extremity of the link 3|4 which has astud 3|6 at its upper end in engagement with the slot 3 I8 of the arm302. The spring 389 at its lower extremity biases the link 3|4 upwardlyso that the sweep arm 350 is biased toward its upper position.

The sweep arm 350 may remain in its lower position and yet the arm 302can be returned to its original position due to the length of the slot3|8 in which the upper stud SiS of the link 3|4 operates. 'I'hus it willbe seen that the sweep arm 350 may be retained in a lodged positionWithout rendering ineiective the remaining mechanism of the scavengerarm 302.

The sweep arm 342 has its opening 340 also so shaped that in the eventthe sweep arm 342 becomes lodged or stuck, the arm 302 may return to itsoriginal position. Thus the scavenger mechanism is so constructed thatone or more of the sweep arms 324, 342, or 350 may become lodged orstuck without disrupting further action of the scavenger mechanism norWithout blocking all the other coin passages.

The arm 302 at a point intermediate its end pivot and the slot 3| 8 isprovided with two downwardly extending strap portions 358 and 360 whichare clearly visible in Figures 1, 3 and 7. The one portion 358 when thelever 302 is depressed engages the projection 10 of the gate 56 to movethat gate pivotally outward away from the wall 20. At the same time, theother downwardly extending strap or projection 368 engages a projection|03 on a gate 92 to move that gate outwardly away from the wall 20. Atthe same time that the gates 56 and 92 are moved outwardly from the wall.20, the other gate 208 on the wall 20 is moved outwardly by theengagement -of the outer extremity of the arm 302 with the projectingportion 300 of the gate 208. Thus all three gates are moved outwardly atthe same time and the motion of the scavenger arm 302 ca-uses all threesweep arms to move past the faces of the respective magnets .to sweepmagnetic slugs therefrom. Thus single actuation of .thescavengerymechanism associated with the arm 302 discharges underweight,underdiameter, overdiameter coins and magnetic slugs. All such coinscleared bythe scavenger are discharged into .the two-slug compartmentsformed by the wall |62 with the wall 38 and the wall 210 formed with thewall 242. The action produced by the scavenger mechanism on the varioussweep arms is illustrated by Figure 8, where the original positions ofthe arms have been given their proper reference characters, and thedisplaced positions have been given the same reference characters withthe suflix S, indicating the scavenger action position.

When the gate 288 is moved'outwardly and the sweep arm 324 clears theface of the pole pieces 260 of its associated magnet, the slugs or coinswill be moved so as to drop `onto the curved edge 266 of the wall 242whereupon the-coins and slugs enter the passageway between that wall andthe auxiliary wall 210. On the opposite side of `the slug rejectOr anoutward movement of the gate 92, together with a correspon-ding actionof the associated sweep arm 350, discharges the coins so that they dropdownwardly to strike the curved edge portion |98 of wall 38 so that thecoin lis 10 passed down the inclined surface |10 in the space betweenthe wall 38 and the auxiliary wall |68. Similarly, an outward movementof the gate 56, together with actuation of its sweep arm 342, causesspurious coins to drop downwardly to engage the inwardly curved surfaces|92 and |94 of the wall 38, whereupon 1the coins pass down the inclinedsurface and in the passage between the walls 38 and |68.

The operation of the coin selector and slug rejector entails bothmechanical and magnet testing of coins and other tokens inserted in thedevice. .Mechanical testing is performed by the cradles 72, |86 and 224and their associated overdiameter stops 88, |09 and 23|, Figs. 1,3, 6,and 7, for the lO-cent, 2,5-cent and 5-cent denominations, respectively.Magnetic testing is performed on those coins which pass into or throughthe iields of the magnets 86, ||4 and 262. Different metals havediilerent magnetic properties. Thus, nickel is least affected by amagnetic eld. Brass, zinc and certain other metals are affected to agreater extent, and silver to a still greater extent. Copper is sloweddown much more than is silver in passing through a magnetic eld, whileiron and steel usually are stopped by the magnet. Advantage is taken ofthese differences in characteristics to segregate nickel coins fromtokens of other metals in the 5-cent denomination, and silver coins fromtokens of other metals in the l0-cent and 25-cent denominations, as willbe described in greater detail subsequently. Genuine 10-cent coins passfrom the runway 68 into a chute to the right of the diverter |66.Simulated l-cent pieces not of the proper silver alloy, assuming theyleave the magnetic iield, either rebound from the block |56 into a slugchute to the left of diverter |66 or pass directly from the runway 68into this chute. Genuine 25-cent coins pass from runway |04 into anacceptance' chute to the right of diverter |48; whereas .2E-cent piecesnot of the proper silver alloy may either rebound from the partition |28into a reject chute to the left of diverter |48 or pass directly intothis chute. Genuine 5- cent coins leave the runway 222 and stirke theanvil 288 with sulicient force to rebound over the hurdle 294 into anacceptance chute. 5-cent pieces not of the proper nickel alloy may ormay not strike the anvil 288, but in either event they fail to clear thehurdle 294 and consequently drop into the reject chute.

It will first be assumed that a 10-cent coin has been inserted in theentrance chute 64, Figs.

s 1 and 6, so as to pass into the passageway between the gate 56 and thewall 20. The coin engages the cradle 'i2 where the coin is subjected todiameter and weight tests. When the coin is of proper diameter andweight the cradle 12 is tilted until it strikes the stop stud 'I8 sothat the coin is discharged down the runway 68. If the coin isoverdiameter it will be stopped by the overdiameter stud 80. When a coinof proper diameter passes down the runway 68 it is subjected to theinuence of the magnetic eld produced by the pole pieces 84 on the wall38. The influence of the magnetic eld upon the coin passing down therunway 68 produces changes in trajectory of the coin dependent on thecomposition of the coin. A magnetic slug will be slowed down or stoppedentirely by the permanent magnet. Certain other coins or tekens, such asthose of brass, will be less alected by the magnetic field than aregenuine l0-cent coins, with the result that the trajectory is such thatthe coin impinges or strikes against the rebound block |56 whereupon therebound trajectory carries the coin to the left of the diverter l sothat the coin engages the curved inner edge 232 of the slug passagewayformed by the wall |68 with the wall 38. Other coins or tokens such asthose of copper will be slowed down apreciably by the magnetic eld sothat the trajectories fall short of the normal trajectory of a 10-centcoin. The coins may fall to the left of the diverter |56 or may fallonto the diverter. The diverter is s set that the center of gravity ofany non-acceptable coins is also slightly to the left of the diverter sothat the coins will pass into the reject chute. Genuine lO-cent coinsmay strike the diverter, but have a trajectory so that they will fall tothe right, as seen in Figure l, whereupon genuine coins pass downwardlyto engage in the curved surfaces 204, and |8U of the -cent coinacceptance chute which is formed by the wall 38 and the wall portion|18.

it may now be assumed that a -cent coin is inserted in the coin chute liformed by the upper portion of the gate 92. The coin passes down ontothe cradle lll which tests the coin for weight and diameter. Assumingthat the coin has the proper diameter and at least the proper weight,the cradle |06 will tilt until it engages the stud H2 on the gate |02.The coin thereupon will be discharged onto the runway |64. If the coinis not overdiameter so as to engage the stop stud H19, the coin willpass down the runway and be subjected to the'infiuence of the magneticfield produced by the pole pieces ||3 which t flush into the aperturesI| and the wall E8. Coins of proper alloy have a trajectory so that theymove downward into an acceptance chute. Such coins in moving downwardlyengage a diverter E46. In so engaging the diverter the center of gravityis toward the right so that the coins will move to the right of thetriangular partition |34 into the 25-cent acceptance chute. If certaincoins enter the runway formed by the ledge |64 and have an alloycomposition which is not as greatly affected by the magnetic field asare silver coins, the trajectory and speed of theV coin will be suchthat the coin strikes the partition |28, which also serves as a reboundblock to direct the coin toward the left, whereupon the coin will enterthe reject chute or passageway which is formed between the tri-Y angularmembers iS and |34. Certain other non-acceptacle coins will havetrajectories less than the trajectory of a genuine 25-cent coin so thatthey will either drop into the reject chute or will strike the diverterM0 so that their center of gravity is slightly to the left of thediverter. Thereupon the coin will drop into the reject chute.

By referring to Figures 3 and 7, it will be appreciated how a 5-centcoin may be inserted into the entrance chute 2 I8 to pass into thepassageway formed by the gate 22 t. The coin will engage the cradle 224so as to be subjected to diameter and weight tests. If the coin has theproper diameter and at least equal to the proper weight, the cradle 224will tilt until it strikes the stop 230. Thereupon the coin will bedischarged onto the runway 222 provided that it is not overdiameter andis stopped by the Ystud 23|. In passing down the runway 222, the coinwill be subjected to the influence of the magnetic field of thepermanent magnet which has the pole pieces 26D in the face of the wall242. The eiiect of the magnetic held is such as to produce differenttrajectories for the coin running down the runway 222. It of course willbe understood that magnetic slugs may be stopped entirely by thepermanent magnet. All other coins and tokens, however, will havecharacteristic trajectories after leaving the runway. The rebound anvil258 is so positioned that only genuine nickel coins, which are leastaiected by the magnetic held, will have a trajectory such that they willclear the barrier or hurdle formed by the member 94. All other coins andtokens will fail to clear this hurdle and pass into the reject chute.

It may now be assumed that one or more of thc coin chutes illustrated inFigure 1 has become jammed through the insertion of foreign substancesor the mechanism does not operate quite properly due to dirty walls. lnaccordance with the present invention, the wall 38 may be unlatched bymanipulating the nger portion 46 of the latch e2 so that the wall may bemoved outwardly through an angle substantially equal to ninety degreesor more to a position such as that shown in Figure 6. Then if it isdesired to have access to those wall portions which form the passagewayadjacent the gates 56 and 92, the gates 56 and 92 may be swung upwardlyto the position shown in Figure 6. In these positions the surfaces ofthe gates, the movable wall, and the stationary wall are all accessiblefor ready cleaning so that the surfaces may be cleaned and placed inproper position. If it should be found that either one or" the gatesneeds further attention, the gates may readily be removed by compressingthe biasing springs and moving the gates so as to disengage the pivotsupports. Thus for example, the gate B may be moved toward the right, asshown in Figure 6, to compress the spring S2 so that the pivot ortrunnion 58 may be withdrawn from the ear 52. Thereafter the gate may betwisted slightly so as to remove the other pivot from the other ear E4.Similarly, the gate 82 may be removed. If it is desired to remove thewall 38, the pin 32 may be removed. Thus without the use of tools it ispossible to have access to all of the inner surfaces of the coinselector passageways for the 10 and 25 cent coms.

By reference to Figures 3 and 7, it will be seen how all surfacesforming passageways for the 5-cent coin likewise are readily accessible.The wall 242 may be unlatched by manipulating the latch 246 by engagingthe linger portion 250. Thereafter the wall 242 may be swung outwardlyto a position similar to that shown in Figure '7. After the wall 242 hasbeen moved outwardly, the gate 208 may be moved upwardly to the positionshown in Figure 7. The gate and the wall shown in Figure '7 likewise arereadily removable by following the same manipulations previouslydescribed with respect to the Igates and the wall on the other side ofthe slug rejector.

It will be appreciated that While the drawings have shown certainspecific embodiments and certain details that the present invention isnot to be limited thereby since such variations in the arrangements andin the individual details are contemplated as may be commensurate withthe spirit and scope of the invention expressed in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A multi-coin testing device comprising in combination a frame havinga vertical wall forming one wall of a plurality of coin passagcways, asecond wall'pivotally mounted parallel to said rst Wall, a third wallpivotally mounted parallel to and on the opposite side of said firstwall, said Vsecond and third walls being of substantial extent relativeto said first wall, means forming a plurality of coin passagewaysbetween said walls, a plurality of magnetic testing devices mounted onsaid latter walls, a scavenger lever for each magnetic testing devicefor clearing the face thereof, and a scavenger actuating mechanism formoving said scavenger levers including means arranged to return saidscavenger actuating mechanism to its original position even if one ormore of said scavenger levers fail to return to their original position.

2. A multi-coin testing device -`comprising in combination a framehaving a vertical wall forming one wall of a coin passageway, anotherwall pivotally mounted on and parallel to said rst wall and pivotablethrough a sufficient angle to expose the parts covered thereby forcleaning purposes, a plurality of coin passageways formed between saidwalls, each coin passageway being provided with a magnetic testingdevice, a scavenger lever disposed between said walls for each magnetictesting device for clearing the face thereof, spring means biasing eachscavenger lever to a predetermined position, a scavenger actuatingmechanism for moving said levers against the action of said springs, andspring means for returning said scavenger actuating mechanismindependently of the return of said scavenger levers.

3. A multi-coin testing device comprising in combination a frame havinga vertical wall and a plurality of cooperating parallel walls, saidcooperating walls being pivotally mounted on said first wall forsubstantially 90 or more of pivotal movement to facilitate cleaning ofthe parts covered thereby and defining a plurality of coin passagestherewith, said cooperating walls being provided with a plurality ofmagnetic testing devices, a scavenger lever for clearing the face ofeach magnetic testing device, spring means urging each scavenger levertoward a predetermined position, and a scavenger actuatingr mechanismfor positively moving each scavenger lever against the action of itsrespective spring.

4. A multi-coin testing device comprising in combination a frame havinga vertical wall forming one Wall of a coin passageway, a plurality ofWalls pivotally mounted parallel to and on opposite sides of said rstwall and of substantial extent relative thereto, a plurality of coinpassageways formed between said walls, each coin passageway beingprovided with a magnetic testing device, a separate scavenger lever foreach magnetic testing device for clearing the face thereof, spring meansbiasing each scavenger lever toward a predetermined position, ascavenger actuating mechanism for moving said levers against the actionof said springs, said scavenger actuating mechanism being interconnectedwith said scavenger levers by means including a pin and slot connectionfor insuring the return of said actuating mechanism even if one or moreof said scavenger levers are not returned to their original position.

5. A coin testing device comprising in combination a frame having avertical wall forming one wall of a plurality of coin passages, aplurality of entrance chutes formed by a plurality of gatessubstantially horizontally hingedly mounted on said wall, each gatecarrying a coin testing device and a part of the base of an inclinedrunway, a plurality of movable walls hingedly mounted parallel to and onopposite sides of said first wall, said movable walls formingcontinuations of said gate chutes, latching means for normally retainingsaid movable walls in vpositions parallel to said irst wall', ymagnetictesting devices mounted on said walls adjacent the ends of said runways,a plurality of scavenger levers for clearing the sidesof said magnetictesting devices, and a scavenger actuating mechanism for moving all ofsaid scavenger levers land for pivotally shifting said hinged gates toclear .said device of non-acceptable coins.

6. A coin testing device comprisingV in combination a frame having avertical wall forming one wall of a coin passageway, awall hingedly fmounted on said first wall and pivotally movable suiiiciently to 'exposeall parts covered thereby for cleaning purposes, latching means fornormally retaining said wall in position parallel to sai-d first Wall, aplurality of entrance chutes hingedly mounted on said first wall andmovable away therefrom suiiiciently for cleaning purposes, means locatedadjacent the upper portion of said hinged Wall for forming a pluralityof coin passageways for said entrance chutes, and separation meansmounted between said passageways, said separation means serving as abumper for non-acceptable coins in one of said coin passageways.

7. A coin testing device comprising in combination a frame having avertical Wall forming one wall of a coin passageway, a plurality ofentrance chutes formed by a plurality of gates substantiallyhorizontally hingedly mounted on said wall, each gate carrying a cointesting device and a part of the base of an inclined runway, a wallhingedly mounted on said rst wall, said hinged wall having passagewaysforming a continuation of said gate chutes, latching means for normallyretaining said movable wall in a position parallel to said rst wall, anadjustable member mounted on said first wall to separate the coinpassageways and to serve as a bumper for certain coins in one of saidpassageways, and a scavenger actuating mechanism for pivotally shiftingsaid hinged gates to clear said device of non-acceptable coins.

8. A coin selector comprising a stationary wall, a plurality of gatespivoted on substantially horizontal axes at one side of said stationarywall and spaced transversely therealong, each said gate deiining a coinpassageway adjacent the entrance to the selector and being adapted forpivotal movement away from the said vertical 'wall to provide access tothe walls of the passageway formed between each said gate and saidstationary wall, and a cooperating wall pivotally secured to saidstationary wall and transversely coextensive with the said gates andsubstantially comating with the lower portions thereof to providecontinuations of the gate passageways, said cooperating wall beingadapted for outward pivotal movement to provide access to the interiorsurfaces between said Walls, and means normally positioning andretaining said cooperating Wall in operative parallel relation to thesaid stationary wall.

9. A coin selector as claimed in claim 8, wherein each gate carries acoin testing device and there is provided clearing mechanism operablefor moving said gates outwardly from the stationary walls sufficientlyto discharge and reject coins blocking the passageway formed by saidgates.

10. A coin selector as claimed in claim 9, wherein each gate includes aninwardly directed in- 15 clined ledge forming a runway and wherein thepivoted cooperating wall carries magnetic testing devices positioned tosubstantially co-mate with said gates above the said runways when inclosed position.

11. A coin selector as claimed in claim 8, wherein scavenger actuatingmechanism is provided for shifting said gates outwardly of saidstationary Wall and independently of said movable wall to clear the sameof non-acceptable coins.

12. A coin selector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cooperating wallcarries magnetic testing devices adapted in closed position forassociation with a coin passageway formed by each gate, a scavengerlever for clearing said magnetic testing devices, and scavengeroperating mechanism operable to shift said gates outwardly of saidstationary Wall to clear the selector of non-acceptable coins.

OTTO A. HOKANSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

